Development of novel vaccines to control infections wlth newly emerging highly pathogenic marek's disease viruses

Objective

Novel concepts to control newly emerging and highly pathogenic Marek's disease virus (vv+ MDV-1) are needed. Different antigen formulations, routes of vaccination, and biological adjuvant will be tested. DNA vaccines encoding MDV-1 antigens expressed in all stages of the virus' life cycle (lytic, latent, tumour stage) will be constructed, with an emphasis on antigens inducing a cytotoxic T cell response. The same proteins will also be expressed by recombinant Sindbis viruses. Modified live vaccines derived from a vv+ MDV-1 strain with a deletion in gB or gM shall be constructed using the bacterial artificial chromosome technique. The routes of vaccination will be
1) in-ovo vaccination and
2) vaccination of 1- day-old chickens via various routes. The cytokine profiles after MDV-1 infection will be analysed by developing new tools and test systems, and rational approaches to immune modulation using biological adjuvant will be developed and tested.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-2. - Key action Control of Infectious Diseases

Funding Scheme

Coordinator

Participants (7)